The Approach to the Care of Cancer
The Approach to Care of Cancer Kia Nordenskiold September 30, 2012
The Approach to Care of Cancer Cancer refers to a group of diseases that involve uncontrolled cell growth (Corner & Bailey, 2008). The unregulated cell division and growth leads to the formation of malignant tumors that invade bordering body parts. Cancer may also spread to distant areas of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Determining the causes of cancer is a complex process, however studies have shown that obesity, tobacco use, environmental pollutants, and microwave radiations, increase the risk of the health problems (Corner & Bailey, 2008). Early detection of cancer is extremely important because it will allow for early treatment and stop progression of the disease process. Research has shown that the risk of acquiring cancer is especially high among the elderly population (Lee & Wood, 2010). When we advance in age our fears may increase due to competing causes of death, limited life expectancy, and higher risk of toxicities such as cancer. Understanding the prognosis and the nature of the progression of cancer is important when contemplating a variety of treatment options accessible for the patient. This paper will consider the diagnosis and staging of cancer, the complications of a disease, side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen psychological and physical effects of cancer treatments. Diagnosis and Staging of Cancer Diagnosis of cancer refers to the processes by which a physician determines the presence of cancer through screening or observing symptoms (Lee & Wood, 2010). Screening and monitoring of symptoms does not require physicians to examine tissue samples, however medical tests are necessary when investigating and diagnosing suspected cancer in the patient. The medical tests commonly include ultrasound, endoscopy, blood draws such as cancer marker tests, biopsies of area in
The Approach to Care of Cancer Cancer refers to a group of diseases that involve uncontrolled cell growth (Corner & Bailey, 2008). The unregulated cell division and growth leads to the formation of malignant tumors that invade bordering body parts. Cancer may also spread to distant areas of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Determining the causes of cancer is a complex process, however studies have shown that obesity, tobacco use, environmental pollutants, and microwave radiations, increase the risk of the health problems (Corner & Bailey, 2008). Early detection of cancer is extremely important because it will allow for early treatment and stop progression of the disease process. Research has shown that the risk of acquiring cancer is especially high among the elderly population (Lee & Wood, 2010). When we advance in age our fears may increase due to competing causes of death, limited life expectancy, and higher risk of toxicities such as cancer. Understanding the prognosis and the nature of the progression of cancer is important when contemplating a variety of treatment options accessible for the patient. This paper will consider the diagnosis and staging of cancer, the complications of a disease, side effects of treatment, and methods to lessen psychological and physical effects of cancer treatments. Diagnosis and Staging of Cancer Diagnosis of cancer refers to the processes by which a physician determines the presence of cancer through screening or observing symptoms (Lee & Wood, 2010). Screening and monitoring of symptoms does not require physicians to examine tissue samples, however medical tests are necessary when investigating and diagnosing suspected cancer in the patient. The medical tests commonly include ultrasound, endoscopy, blood draws such as cancer marker tests, biopsies of area in
References: Corner, J., & Bailey, C. (2008). Cancer nursing care in context (2nd Ed.). Oxford: Blackwell Pub. Jones, E. G. (1998). Cancer, its causes, symptoms and treatment: giving the results of over forty years ' experience in the medical treatment of this disease (Reprint ed.). New Delhi: Jain. Lee, C. T., & Wood, D. P. (2010). Bladder cancer diagnosis, therapeutics, and management. New York, NY: Humana Press. National Cancer Institute At the National Institute of Health. Retrieved September2012.www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/staging Payne, R. A. (2010). Payne 's handbook of relaxation techniques a practical guide for the health care professional (4th ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier.